With a little more than two weeks until Election Day, voters in San Diego County say concerns about the country’s future are motivating them to take part in the midterm elections.
Ann Parker, a teacher who plans to vote by mail, said she is particularly concerned about climate change, rising costs and the future facing younger generations.
“I think democracy is on the ballot,” Parker said.
Parker said she sees the effects of the economy on both herself and her students, pointing to the cost of everyday necessities as one example.
“It’s outrageous to go to the market and have to pay like $7 for a loaf of bread,” she said.
She also said she is looking for candidates who prioritize environmental issues and is concerned about what she views as increasing partisanship on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Parker said young people are facing uncertainty about their futures, in part because of climate change and fewer economic opportunities.
“There’s a lot of anxiety and depression out there about the future,” she said. “I feel that young people feel really lost right now about what their future holds.”
Alex Cassadas, an attorney who also plans to vote by mail, said frustration over economic and social issues is contributing to the importance he places on the election.
Cassadas said he prefers voting by mail because it gives him time to review candidates and ballot measures before making decisions.
“I get to hold the ballot, I get to study it, I get to make sure that I’m not making decisions at the election box,” he said.
With multiple ballot initiatives to consider, Cassadas said he wants to understand what he is voting for and why before returning his ballot. He said he plans to vote early, as he has in past elections.
Cassadas also hopes to see high voter turnout across California and the country. He said he encourages others to participate, emphasizing that local elections matter, too.
“I’m really trying to get the vote out for other people, just making sure that they at least get their vote in,” he said.
According to NBC News’ early-voting tracker, more than 1.3 million ballots had been cast statewide as of Oct. 18, representing about 5% of California’s registered voters. Of those early voters, 48% were registered Democrats, 31% were Republicans and 21% were registered with another party or had no party preference.
Historically, voter turnout is lower in midterm elections than in presidential election years, though it is too early to know what overall turnout will look like in November.
California has more than 23 million registered voters, the most of any state. Election officials typically release initial results on election night, with counting and processing continuing afterward.
In San Diego County, dozens of vote centers are scheduled to open Oct. 24, with all locations set to be open by Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 3.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.